Morning Sickness

Overview

Morning Sickness or Nausea Gravidarum is marked by vomiting and nausea during the initial weeks to the third month of pregnancy. It is usually worse during the mornings but improves as the day progresses. It is usually due to increased hormones in the body.

Causes

Morning sickness is thought to be caused by the rapid hormonal changes in the body that happen during pregnancy, however reasons are not fully understood. Women experience it mostly during the first few months of pregnancy or the first trimester. Pregnant women might have an increased sense of smell and also excess of stomach acid. This makes them nauseous. At this stage of the baby’s early development, mothers to be can have bad reactions to certain kinds of food. This may also result in morning sickness.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of morning sickness are nausea and vomiting. Some women are sick, whilst other just experience a feeling of sickness without actually being sick. Some women may have an enhanced sense of smell and a change in the taste buds for certain types of food. Some women could also have more saliva secretion. Although it is called 'morning sickness', it can actually happen throughout the day, according the individual.

Diagnosis

The doctor will note down the medical history of the patient. The doctor will also make a note of the symptoms and prescribe certain simple tests that could help the doctor to diagnose the severity of the condition. Based on how far the woman is into her pregnancy, the doctor may prescribe different procedures to make a careful evaluation of the situation.

Treatment

Some women find it helpful to eat food containing ginger, it is always advisable to drink plenty of fluids and maybe avoid foods and smells that can worsen the condition. It might also be helpful to change eating habits and eat small amounts often rather than a few large meals. Sometimes, stimulating some Acupressure points can reduce nausea and vomiting.